Report: Atletico Madrid table €10 million offer for Barcelona misfit

It seems like Barcelona’s desperate need to get players off their books has led to clubs trying to take advantage of their plight. Indeed, as reported by El Gol Digital, reigning La Liga champions Atletico Madrid have approached the Catalans to take Miralem Pjanic off their hands this summer, but are willing to offer just €10 million for the Bosnian.

Pjanic arrived at Barcelona only last year from Juventus in an operation that cost the club around €60 million, although the Blaugrana did send Arthur Melo the other way for a reported fee of €72 million. Safe to say that, none of the parties involved have come out happier from the deal.

Pjanic, for one, has gone from an ever-present at Juventus to an afterthought at Barcelona, having managed just six La Liga appearances in his debut season. The 31-year-old is seeking an exit having grown frustrated with his plight, while the Catalans themselves are intent on offloading the midfielder as they look to shave his wages off, to accommodate Lionel Messi’s new contract.

Atletico lowballing Barcelona for Pjanic?

Barcelona’s urgent necessity to cut Pjanic from the roster hasn’t been lost on their rivals, Atletico Madrid, who are now hoping to make the most of the situation. The report states that Diego Simeone & co. would be very happy to sign the Bosnian midfielder from Barca in the ongoing transfer window.

However, the Rojiblancos are willing to offer only a meagre sum of €10 million for the former AS Roma and Olympique Lyon star, although they are willing to match his current €8 million-a-season net salary. This presents a tricky proposition for Barcelona. While they need to get rid of Pjanic in order to sufficiently trim their wage bill, the offer of €10 million seems like they are being lowballed.

Nonetheless, the Catalan giants are willing to study the offer from Atleti knowing that the prime objective, at this moment, is to get Messi re-signed on a new contract at the earliest.